Device and method for controlling light sources in motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A device controls at least a first light source of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes at least the first light source to provide a first light function and a second light source to provide a second light function. The device includes an electrical structure to detect activation of the second light source, and to deactivate the first light source after detection of activation of the second light source. Also, a method controls at least a first light source of the motor vehicle. The method includes electrically detecting activation of the second light source and electrically deactivating the first light source after detecting activation of the second light source.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices for motorvehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to devices andmethods for controlling activation and/or deactivation of light sources.

STATE OF THE ART

Automotive lamps and the light sources thereof are subject to stricthomologation tests in order to certify that both the lamps and the lightsources meet certain lighting requirements. In this sense, differentparameters are measured in relation to the light provided by theautomotive lamps, for example, the intensity of the light, the color,etc.

As a motor vehicle has a plurality of automotive lamps and lightsources, when two or more light sources are active at the same time thelight that one light source produces may affect the light produced byanother light source/s. Particularly, the visual perception of thelights may change as the intensities and the colors thereof get mixedup, so the light from each light source becomes different from how it isoriginally perceived (i.e. when no other light sources are active). Thisissue may become problematic as some lights must meet particularlighting requirements no matter what; these requirements are generallystricter as higher the relevance of the light source is for safedriving. The intensity and the color of the light aside, the variationsin visual perception generally become greater the closer the activelight sources are one to each other.

Many motor vehicles tend to integrate several light sources within asame automotive lamp, something which results in more compact solutions.Even though the integration of the light sources within a lamp may beused for differentiation between carmakers or vehicle models (and evenimprove the aesthetics of the vehicle), owing to the reuse or sharingbetween two or more lighting sources of part or an entirety of theoptics, such lamps reduce the aggregate weight of the lighting devicesof the vehicle. Albeit this is advantageous, the aforementioned problemis exacerbated.

As it is mandatory that each automotive lamp is homologated, dependingon the light configurations allowed by a vehicle or an automotive lamp,passing the homologation tests becomes more difficult since anautomotive lamp must pass tests for each of those configurations. Thatis to say, if a vehicle or an automotive lamp allows having activeseveral light sources or light functions at the same time (e.g. daylightrunning light function, pilot light function, low beam function, turnindicator function, etc.), the light sources must pass the homologationtests for each of these configurations.

It would be desirable that light sources providing light functionsregarded as more important for safe driving prevailed other lightsources providing more complementary light functions, and thus the moreimportant ones were provided alone. In other words, it would bedesirable that while important light sources are active, complementarylight sources are forced to be inactive. Since the complementary lightfunctions may not have to be active at all times, deactivating themwhile the important light functions are active would ease passing thehomologation tests of the corresponding automotive lamps or lightsources. Notwithstanding, programming such behavior of the differentlight sources of a motor vehicle may be costly if existing controlmodules of a motor vehicle must be reprogrammed.

Therefore, there is an interest in providing a way for selectivelyactivating and deactivating certain light sources (and, thus, lightfunctions) so that other light sources (that may be regarded as beingmore important for safe driving) are not affected by the light providedby those certain light sources selectively activated/deactivated.Preferably, selectively controlling one or more light sources andcorresponding light function/s may be carried out directly from withinthe automotive lamp comprising the one or more light sources.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The devices and methods of the present disclosure are intended to solveone or more of the aforementioned technical problems.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for controlling atleast a first light source of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle atleast comprising the first light source being configured to provide afirst light function and a second light source configured to provide asecond light function, the device comprising electrical means configuredto detect activation of the second light source, and to deactivate thefirst light source after detection of activation of the second lightsource.

The device is capable of deactivating a first light source that mayaffect the light provided by a second light source.

While the first light source is active, the driver of a motor vehicle oreven the motor vehicle itself may decide to switch on the second lightsource. Since the second light function may be regarded as an importantlight function for driving safely (e.g. turn indicator function, brakingfunction, etc.) whereas the first light function may be regarded as alight function of lesser importance or of a complementary nature fordriving safely (e.g. daylight running light function, low beamcomplementary function, auxiliary pilot light function, etc.), thesecond light function shall have priority over the first light function.

The device may detect, through the electrical means, that the secondlight source is switched on, and proceed to switch off the first lightsource through the electrical means.

In order to control at least the first light source, the device may atleast receive a first electrical signal corresponding to the active orinactive status of the first light source, a second electrical signalcorresponding to the active or inactive status of the second lightsource, and provide a third electrical signal corresponding to an activeor inactive status of the first light source. The third electricalsignal provided by the device may be equal to the first electricalsignal received by the device; or the third electrical signal may bedifferent to the first electrical signal when the device is modifyingthe operation of the first light source thereby overriding an operationmode desired by a driver or the vehicle motor.

In some cases, the first light source is within a first automotive lampand the second light source is within a second automotive lamp, whereasin some other cases both the first and the second light sources arewithin a same automotive lamp.

In some embodiments of the invention, the electrical means are furtherconfigured to detect deactivation of the second light source, and toactivate the first light source after detection of deactivation of thesecond light source.

The device may reactivate the first light source once the second lightsource has been switched off so as to provide the first light functionagain. In this sense, the device temporarily deactivates the first lightsource at least during the time that the second light source is active.

In some embodiments, the electrical means comprise a switch foractivating and deactivating the first light source.

When the second light source is activated or deactivated, based on adetection thereof the device may open or close a switch that deactivatesor activates the first light source. In this way, when the second lightsource is active, the switch deactivates the first light source andmaintains it deactivated; and after the second light source has beendeactivated, the switch activates the first light source and maintainsit activated.

During the period in which the second light source is active (and thefirst light source is not active owing to the control of the device), ifthe first light source is completely deactivated for example by thedriver of the motor vehicle, once the second light source isdeactivated, the device may actuate the switch so as to activate thefirst light source again, however the first light source will not beactivated as the driver or the vehicle has already switched it off. Thatis, the device controls the first light source but does not override thedeactivation of the first light source that has been determined by thedriver or the vehicle.

In some of these embodiments, the electrical means comprise a timer fordelaying activation of the first light source for a time period afterdetection of deactivation of the second light source.

The device may delay the activation of the first light source so that,if the second light source is activated again right after it has beendeactivated, the first light source is not activated unnecessarily(since the second light source will be active again).

In some embodiments of the invention, the motor vehicle furthercomprises a third light source configured to provide a third lightfunction, and the electrical means are further configured to deactivatethe third light source after detection of the activation of the secondlight source. Preferably, in some of these embodiments, the electricalmeans are further configured to activate the third light source afterdetection of the deactivation of the second light source.

The device may deactivate additional light sources that are active andwhich may affect the light characteristics of the second light source.For example, the device may proceed to deactivate a first light sourceproviding a daylight running light and a third light source providing alow beam complementary light when a second light source providing a turnindicator light is activated.

The device may temporarily deactivate the third light source for atleast the time that the second light source is active; afterwards, thedevice may reactivate the third light source.

The device may at least receive an electrical signal corresponding tothe active or inactive status of the third light source, and provide anelectrical signal corresponding to an active or inactive status of thethird light source as controlled by the device.

In some embodiments, the electrical means comprise an electricalnetwork.

The electrical means may comprise, for example, a printed circuit boardin turn comprising the electrical network. The printed circuit board andthe electrical network may comprise terminals for receiving electricalsignals corresponding to the active or inactive status of the lightsources, and terminals for providing electrical signals to the active orinactive status of the light source/s controlled by the device. Further,the electrical network preferably comprises a switch for activating anddeactivating the first light source, and a timer for delaying activationof the first light source for a time period after detection ofdeactivation of the second light source.

In some embodiments, the electrical means comprise a microcontroller.

The microcontroller may be programmed to carry out the aforementionedtasks. To this end, the microcontroller includes input port/s forreceiving data regarding the status of at least the first and secondlight sources, particularly data related to the active or inactivestatus of the first and second light sources. Also, the microcontrollerincludes output port/s that allow altering the operation of the lightsource/s that are controlled by the device, particularly activatingand/or deactivating the light source/s by means of electrical signals.

In some embodiments, the device is configured to be included within anautomotive lamp.

The device may fit within an automotive lamp and may be configured toelectrically connect, either directly or through one or more electricalnetworks, to at least the first light source so as to control itsoperation, and to at least the second light source so as to detectactivation and deactivation thereof. Therefore, as the device may beincluded in automotive lamps, no additional space in the motor vehicleis necessary for hosting the device. Further, any modifications,reparations or replacements of the device that may be necessary at somepoint during its operating life may be carried out by retrieving theautomotive lamp only, that is, no access to other parts of the vehiclemotor may be necessary.

In preferred embodiments, the first light function is mutually exclusivewith the second light function.

In some embodiments, the first light function is a daytime running lightfunction or a low beam complementary function; and the second lightfunction is a turn indicator function.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a lighting device for amotor vehicle, the lighting device comprising: a first light source; asecond light source; and a device according to the first aspect of theinvention for controlling at least the first light source.

The lighting device may have integrated therein at least the first lightsource and the second light source together with the device forcontrolling the first light source. This results in a lighting devicethat is compact in size and which may feature control of at least thefirst light source without programming a control module of the motorvehicle.

In some embodiments, the lighting device further comprises an opticsdevice. Further, in these embodiments, the first light source isconfigured to provide a first light function through a first face of theoptics device, and the second light source is configured to provide asecond light function through the first face of the optics device.

The lighting device includes optics that are shared by the first andsecond light sources, something which allows making the lighting devicemore compact as some components need not be duplicated.

The optics device may include, for example, a light guide, and throughone of its faces the first and second light functions are providedtowards the exterior of the lighting device. The sharing or reuse of theoptics device makes that the light of the different light sources mayget mixed up while the light source are in operation simultaneously. Tothis end, the device controls the operation of at least the first lightsource (in those embodiments in which the lighting devices comprises athird light source and/or more light sources, the additional lightsource/s may be controlled by the device as well) so that the lightfunctions that may be regarded as more important for driving safely donot get mixed up with more complementary light functions.

Similar advantages as those described for the first aspect of theinvention may also be applicable to the second aspect of the invention.

A third aspect of the invention relates to an automotive lamp comprisinga lighting device according to the second aspect of the invention. Theautomotive lamp is a headlamp or a rearlamp of a motor vehicle.

Similar advantages as those described for any of the first and secondaspects of the invention may also be applicable to the third aspect ofthe invention.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling atleast a first light source of a motor vehicle, the motor vehiclecomprising the first light source being configured to provide a firstlight function and a second light source configured to provide a secondlight function, the method comprising: electrically detecting activationof the second light source; and electrically deactivating the firstlight source after detecting activation of the second light source.

By deactivating the first light source after detecting that the secondlight source has been activated, the light of the second light functiondoes not get mixed up with the light of the first light function. Thesecond light function may have more importance for safe driving (e.g.turn indicator function, braking function, etc.) than the first lightfunction (e.g. daylight running light function, low beam complementaryfunction, pilot light function, etc.). Accordingly, the second lightsource (together with the corresponding optics) may not require to bedesigned taking into account that the first light source will be activeat the same time since it will be disabled when the second light sourceis active.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: electricallydetecting deactivation of the second light source; and electricallyactivating the first light source after detecting deactivation of thesecond light source.

In some embodiments, a step of electrically activating the first lightsource after detecting deactivation of the second light source compriseselectrically activating the first light source after detectingdeactivation of the second light source and after a time delay of atimer has elapsed.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: electricallydeactivating a third light source after detecting activation of thesecond light source. In these embodiments, the third light source isconfigured to provide a third light function. Preferably, in some ofthese embodiments, the method further comprises electrically activatingthe third light source after detecting deactivation of the second lightsource.

Additional light sources such as the third light source and/or even afourth or other light sources, when they are active, may also bedeactivated upon activation of the second light source so as not toaffect the light function of the second light source. These additionallight sources may be activated again once the second light source isdeactivated.

In preferred embodiments, the first light function is mutually exclusivewith the second light function.

In some embodiments, the first light function is a daytime running lightfunction or a low beam complementary function; and the second lightfunction is a turn indicator function.

Similar advantages as those described for any of the first, second andthird aspects of the invention may also be applicable to the fourthaspect of the invention.

A fifth aspect of the invention relates to a device adapted for carryingout a method according to the fourth aspect of the invention.

The device may be, for example, an electrical network adapted forcarrying out the method, or a microcontroller adapted for carrying outthe method.

Similar advantages as those described for any of the first, second,third and fourth aspects of the invention may also be applicable to thefifth aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complete the description and in order to provide for a betterunderstanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. Saiddrawings form an integral part of the description and illustrateembodiments of the invention, which should not be interpreted asrestricting the scope of the invention, but just as examples of how theinvention can be carried out. The drawings comprise the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 shows part of the front of a motor vehicle including automotivelamps.

FIG. 2 shows, in a block diagram form, a device in accordance with anembodiment of the invention electrically connected to other parts of amotor vehicle.

FIG. 3 shows part of the diagram of FIG. 2 focusing on the device of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic manner, a device in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a time evolution of two different light functions when adevice in accordance with an embodiment of the invention controls one ofthe two light sources.

FIG. 6 shows an electrical network suitable for a device in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A WAY OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows part of the front of a motor vehicle 50. The motor vehicle50 includes a first automotive lamp 100 and a second automotive lamp125.

The first automotive lamp 100 comprises a lighting device in turncomprising: a first light source 111 configured to provide a low beamfunction, a second light source 112 configured to provide a high beamfunction, a third light source 121 configured to provide a daylightrunning light function, a fourth light source 122 configured to providean ambient light function, and a fifth light source 131 configured toprovide a turn indicator function. The second automotive lamp 125comprises a lighting device that comprises a light source configured toprovide an auxiliary pilot light function.

When the fifth light source 131 is active, that is, when the turnindicator function is provided, the light produced by other lightsources such as the third light source 121, the fourth light source 122,and/or the light source of the second automotive lamp 125 may affect thelight characteristics of the light produced by the fifth light source131. The light functions of any of the third light source 121, thefourth light source 122, and the light source of the second automotivelamp 125 may be regarded as light functions of complementary nature forsafe driving, and therefore their deactivation upon activation of thefifth light source 131 may be convenient for not affecting the lightproduced by the fifth light source 131.

FIG. 2 shows, in a block diagram form, a device 250 in accordance withan embodiment of the invention electrically connected to other parts ofa motor vehicle. The figure shows only some specific details such asparticular electrical connections that are pertinent to understandingembodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosurewith details that are readily apparent to a person skilled in the artupon reading the present disclosure.

The motor vehicle comprises: a control module 211, such as a bodycontrol module, configured to control several functions of the vehicle;in this example the control module 211 also controls some lightfunctions of the vehicle. The control module 211 receives supply andcontrol lines 215, 216, and is generally located on a part 210 of thevehicle where other processing devices for controlling the vehicle maybe also located. In some cases, the control module 211 may be providedas two or more control modules (that are electrically connected) so asto separate the different functions controlled between the differentcontrol modules.

The motor vehicle also comprises an automotive lamp 240, which includesa first light source 261 configured to provide a first light function(e.g. the low beam function of the light source 111 of FIG. 1), a secondlight source 262 configured to provide a second light function (e.g. thehigh beam function of the light source 112 of FIG. 1), a third lightsource 271 configured to provide a third light function (e.g. thedaylight running light function of the light source 121 of FIG. 1, theambient light function of the light source 122 of FIG. 1, the auxiliarypilot light function of the light source of the automotive lamp 125 ofFIG. 1, a low beam complementary function, etc.) and a fourth lightsource 272 configured to provide a fourth light function (e.g. the turnindicator function of light source 131 of FIG. 1); in this example, thethird and fourth light sources 271, 272 are provided within a samelighting module 270. For a better understanding of the invention of thepresent disclosure, by way of example it is considered that the fourthlight source 272 is configured to provide an important light functionsuch as a turn indicator function, whereas the third light source 271 isconfigured to provide a complementary or less important light functionsuch as a daylight running light function or a low beam complementaryfunction.

The automotive lamp 240 also comprises a first driver module 241 and asecond driver module 242 for electrically powering the first, second,third and fourth light sources 261, 262, 271, 272. To this end, thefirst driver module 241 receives electrical conductors from the controlmodule 211 (including an electrical conductor 275 corresponding to adesired operation—enabled operation, disabled operation, or enabledoperation with a regulated level of illumination—of the fourth lightsource 272), and provides electrical conductors to the fourth lightsource 272 so as to adjust its operation. In this particular example,the electrical conductor 275 provides an electrical signal indicative ofwhether the turn indicator function is active or inactive.

On the other hand, the second driver module 242 receives electricalconductors 221 and 225 that, among others, correspond to an operation(e.g. enabled or disabled operation) of the third light source 271, andprovides electrical conductors to the first, second and third lightsources 261, 262, 271 so as to adjust the operation of each. In thisparticular example the electrical conductor 225 at least transmitselectrical signals relative to whether the daylight running lightfunction or the low beam complementary function is active or inactive ascontrolled by the device 250. In some cases, the first driver 241 andthe second driver module 242 are integrated in a single driver module.

Owing to the device 250, which receives electrical conductors 222relative to the operation of at least the third light source 271 (forexample with electrical signals that are modulated with a pulse widthmodulation), the third light source 271 may be controlled so as to bedeactivated (and, in some embodiments, activated as well) depending onthe operation of the fourth light source 272. To this end, the device250 also receives the electrical conductor 275 relative to the status ofthe fourth light source 272 (the turn indicator function). The device250 outputs electrical signals through the electrical conductor 225 thatis electrically connected to the second driver module 242, and with saidelectrical signals the device 250 controls the operation of the thirdlight source 271.

Further, the first and/or second driver modules 241, 242 may provide,for example, electrical conductors (not illustrated) to the controlmodule for transmitting electrical signals for diagnostics purposes ofany of the light sources 261, 262, 271, 272.

FIG. 3 shows part of the diagram of FIG. 2 focusing on the device 250.

The device 250 is configured to receive electrical conductors 235-237respectively corresponding to a power line of the third light source271, a signal line of the operation of the third light source 271, and asignal line of the operation of the fourth light source 272. The device250 is configured to provide electrical signals to one or more outputsconfigured to receive connection of electrical conductors 225.

The second driver module 242 is configured to receive electricalconductors 231, 232, 225 respectively corresponding to a power line ofthe first and second light sources 261, 262, a selection signal line ofthe first and second light sources 261, 262, and a signal line of theoperation of the third light source 271 as adjusted by the device 250.

FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic manner, a device 260 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

The device 260 (which may be used as the device 250 of FIGS. 2-3)comprises: first, second and third terminals 301-303 for receivingconnection of three electrical conductors (for example the electricalconductors 221, 222, 275 of FIG. 2 or the electrical conductors 235-237of FIG. 3); and a fourth terminal 311 for providing electrical signalsrelative to the control of the operation of the third light source 271(for example through the electrical conductor 225 of FIGS. 2-3). Thedevice 260 further comprises electrical means in turn comprising acontrol unit 320 and a switch 321. In some embodiments, the control unit320 includes an electrical network.

The control unit 320 receives, in the first and third terminals 301,303, a power line of the third light source 271 and a signal line of theoperation of the fourth light source 272, respectively, in order todeactivate the third light source 271. After detecting activation of thefourth light source 272, the control unit 320 actuates the switch 321 sothat, irrespective of what is inputted at the second terminal 302 (theelectrical signal relative to the operation of the third light source271), the electrical signal outputted at the fourth terminal 311corresponds to the deactivation of the third light source 271 (with anelectric potential that depends on the particular light source, and maybe for example a ground potential).

In some embodiments, the control unit 320 (and thus the device 260) isfurther configured to activate the third light source 271 (if it wasactive when the fourth light source 272 was activated or if the driverof the motor vehicle decided to activate it while the fourth lightsource 272 is active) after deactivation of the fourth light source 272.To this end, the control unit 320 actuates the switch 321 afterdetecting deactivation of the fourth light source 272 so as toelectrically connect the second terminal 302 with the fourth terminal311. Therefore, if the third light source 271 is not active according tothe electrical signal arriving at the second terminal 302, the thirdlight source 271 will not be active either when the control unit 320actuates the switch 321.

In some embodiments, the control unit 320 comprises a microcontrollerconfigured to perform the aforementioned functions. In some otherembodiments, the electrical means of the device 260 may alternativelycomprise a microcontroller configured to perform the functions describedin the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a time evolution 400 of two different light functions 401,402 when a device in accordance with an embodiment of the inventioncontrols one of the two light sources. In this example, a first lightsource provides the first light function 401 that is a daylight runninglight function, and a second light source provides the second lightfunction 402 that is a turn indicator function.

A device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurecontrols the operation of the first light source based on the operationof the second light source. In this sense, while the first lightfunction 401 is first active (as shown with step 411 a), the secondlight function 402 is not active. At some point, the driver decides toswitch on the second light source so as to provide the second lightfunction 402 (as shown with step 412 a); the device, upon detecting thatthe second light function 402 has been activated, deactivates the firstlight source and hence the first light function 401.

As the second light function 402 corresponds to a turn indicatorfunction, it features an intermittence with an inactive state having aduration T_(off) 421. During that inactive state, the device does notactivate the first light source back again since this may produceconfusion to other drivers. After the inactive state, the second lightsource produces light according to the second light function 402 (asshown with step 412 b).

Then, the driver decides to switch off the turn indicator function,something which the device controlling the first light source maydetect. In preferred embodiments the device does not switch on the firstlight source immediately after deactivation of the second light source,and waits for a time period of duration 422. In some examples, theduration 422 comprises the duration T_(off) 421, and may also comprise atime delay so as to ensure that the second light function is notswitched on again by the driver or the motor vehicle. The time delay maybe configured to, for instance but without limitation, a value lowerthan or equal to 1 millisecond, a value between 1 millisecond and 1second (e.g. 100 ms, 500 ms, 800 ms, etc.), or a value greater than orequal to 1 second (e.g. 1.5 s, 2 s, 2.5 s, etc.). The time delay may bepreferably selected based on the characteristics of the light functionmonitored by the device in order to control another light source.

Once the time period (of duration 422) has elapsed, the device mayactivate the first light source so that it may provide the first lightfunction 401 again (as illustrated with step 411 b).

FIG. 6 shows an electrical network 500 suitable for a device inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The electrical network 500 comprises a first terminal 501, a secondterminal 503, a third terminal 510, and a fourth terminal 511. The firstterminal 501 receives a power line of a first light source that may becontrolled with the device comprising the electrical network 500. Thesecond terminal 503 receives a signal line providing electrical signalsindicative of the operation of a second light source; based on theoperation of the second light source the device controls the first lightsource. The third terminal 510 receives a signal line providingelectrical signals indicative of the operation of the first light sourceas desired by the driver or the motor vehicle itself, that is, theelectrical signal indicates whether the first light source should beactive or inactive based on the input of the driver or the motorvehicle. The fourth terminal 511 provides a signal line providingelectrical signals for controlling the first light source.

The electrical network 500 comprises a 2-channel multiplexer 520integrated circuit and a timer 530 integrated circuit. The multiplexer520 electrically connects either the first terminal 501 or the secondterminal 503 to the timer 530 (at least to an input terminal thereof forelectrically powering the integrated circuit). The second terminal 503is electrically connected to a master reset input 531 of the timer 530so as to activate or not the timer 530 depending on the active orinactive operation of the second light source. At an output 532 of thetimer 530 electrical signals for adjusting the operation of the firstlight source are provided; the fourth terminal 511 is electricallyconnected to the output 532 of the timer 530 so as to provide theelectrical signals thereof.

The timer 530 varies the electrical signal at the output 532 dependingon the operation of the second light source as indicated by theelectrical signals provided in the second terminal 503. The activationof the first light source after the second light source has beendeactivated may be delayed by adjusting the different resistors andcapacitors connected at some pins of the timer 530 (thereby providing adelay such as the time delay of duration 422 of FIG. 5).

When the electrical signal of the second terminal 503 is in a low state,the timer 530 may be powered from the first terminal 501 by selecting inthe multiplexer 520 the channel of the first terminal 501. And when theelectrical signal of the second terminal 503 is in a high state, thetimer 530 may be powered from the second terminal 503 by selecting inthe multiplexer 520 the channel of the second terminal 503; further,this also improves a synchronization between the second terminal 503 andthe timer 530 with regards to the deactivation signal of the secondterminal 503.

It is readily apparent that the electrical network 500 may beimplemented in different ways without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. It is also readily apparent to the person skilled inthe art that some details have been omitted in the figures, for exampleadditional electrical conductors or ground terminals for grounding thedifferent blocks illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.

Even though the terms first, second, third, etc. have been used hereinto describe several components or entities, it will be understood thatthe components or variables should not be limited by these terms sincethe terms are only used to distinguish one component or entity fromanother. For example, the first light source could as well be namedsecond light source and the second light source could be named firstlight source without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

In this text, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as“comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, thatis, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibilitythat what is described and defined may include further elements, steps,etc.

The invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment(s)described herein, but also encompasses any variations that may beconsidered by any person skilled in the art (for example, as regards thechoice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.),within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for controlling at least a firstlight source of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising the firstlight source and a second light source, the device comprising: anelectrical circuit configured to: detect an activation signal toactivate the second light source, and deactivate, via a switch, thefirst light source after detection of the activation signal to activatethe second light source and irrespective of an activation signal toactivate the first light source, the switch being disposed in a path ofthe activation signal to the first light source, and detect adeactivation signal to deactivate the second light source, and activatethe first light source after detection of the deactivation signal todeactivate the second light source, wherein the first light sourceprovides a first light function and the second light source provides asecond light function that is different from the first light function,and the electrical circuit includes a timer configured to delayactivation of the first light source for a time period after detectionof deactivation of the second light source.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, wherein: the electrical circuit is further configured todeactivate a third light source of the motor vehicle after detection ofthe activation signal to activate the second light source, and activatethe third light source after detection of the deactivation signal todeactivate the second light source; and the third light source isconfigured to provide a third light function.
 3. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the device is configured to be included within anautomotive lamp.
 4. A lighting device for a motor vehicle, the lightingdevice comprising: a first light source; a second light source; and thedevice according to claim 1 to control at least the first light source.5. The lighting device according to claim 4, further comprising anoptics device, wherein: the first light source is configured to providea first light function through a first face of the optics device; andthe second light source is configured to provide a second light functionthrough the first face of the optics device.
 6. An automotive lampcomprising the lighting device according to claim 4, wherein theautomotive lamp is a headlamp or a rearlamp.
 7. A method for controllingat least a first light source of a motor vehicle, the motor vehiclecomprising the first light source and a second light source, the methodcomprising: electrically detecting an activation signal to activate thesecond light source; electrically deactivating, via a switch, the firstlight source after detecting the activation signal to activate thesecond light source and irrespective of an activation signal to activatethe first light source, the switch being disposed in a path of theactivation signal to the first light source; detecting a deactivationsignal to deactivate the second light source, and activating the firstlight source after detection of the deactivation signal to deactivatethe second light source after a time delay of a timer has elapsed,wherein the first light source provides a first light function and thesecond light source provides a second light function that is differentfrom the first light function.
 8. The method according to claim 7,further comprising: electrically deactivating a third light source afterdetecting the activation signal to activate the second light source; andelectrically activating the third light source after detecting thedeactivation signal to deactivate the second light source; and whereinthe third light source is configured to provide a third light function.9. A device configured to perform the adapted method according to claim7.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the first lightfunction is a daytime running light function or a low beam complementaryfunction; and the second light function is a turn indicator function.11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuitincludes a multiplexer to electrically connect one of a power line ofthe first light source and a power line of the second light source tothe a timer.
 12. The method according to claim 7 further comprisingelectrically connecting one of a power line of the first light sourceand a power line of the second light source to the timer in order togenerate the time delay.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein apower line of the second light source is connected to a reset input ofthe timer to control activation of the timer based on activation of thesecond light source.